(click pic to enlarge) 'Boeing' on the very reflective side of the prototype 787 at OSH11
Click here to see the full Boeing webpage on the technical briefing with additional info
I've been pretty quiet about the Boeing 787 battery issue that grounded the fleet on January 17, 2013, but mostly because situations like this are really hard to comment on when you simply don't have access to the facts. Of course, lack of facts rarely stops the media from making all kinds of comments... while they profit all the way along regardless if what they are saying makes any sense or is even rooted in the truth. That's why I found this long, slow-paced, and potentially boring 1 hour and 34 minute video so fascinating, it's all about the facts.
See my recent post: Poll: Would You Ride The 787 On Its First Return-To-Service Flight?
From understanding what the battery in question does on the 787 to a detailed explanation of the two incidents that led to the grounding, this technical briefing answers every question I can imagine about the issue. More important, it makes extremely clear what steps have been taken to retrofit the battery installation to prevent any such incidents from occurring again. The briefing took place last Friday in Japan (actually on Thursday evening EDT time) and was presented predominately by Ray Conner (executive vice president of The Boeing Company and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes) and Mike Sinnet (Vice President and 787 Chief Project Engineer) - and in my opinion, these two men have done a fantastic job of presenting the details of the problem and the Boeing response as the company has worked with the FAA to resolve the issue.
I feel this briefing presents Boeing as neither shaken nor cocky about the 787 program, but instead I see a company that has been diligent in designing and building the most advanced civilian aircraft the world has ever seen, and one that has handled an unforeseen complication with honesty and integrity.
Boeing is currently well into the certification testing of the revised battery installation and the hope is that the 787 will back in service within weeks.
I admit that you have to be a pretty hardcore geek for the inner workings of how technologically advanced aircraft are designed and built to enjoy this video, but given the importance of the subject matter to both Boeing and the flying public, I think this hour-and-a-half video is well worth the time invested in it.
(click pic for hi-res) CoolPix of the Boeing 787 prototype departing Oshkosh 2011